The Graduate Council discussed all Counseling requests as a whole. Dr. Ternasky indicated the requests to change from tracks to options in the Counseling programs stem from new accreditation standards imposed by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some of those changes include changing “community counseling” programs to “clinical mental health counseling” programs, and requiring 60 s.h. for the clinical mental health counseling programs by 2013. In order to meet accrediting requirements, the department would like to make numerous changes which include changing from tracks of School Counseling and Community Counseling to options of School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC); adding CN 519, Crisis and Trauma Counseling, to the core requirements of both options; and adding CN 602, Principles of Mental Health Diagnosis and Pathology for Practitioners in School Settings as a required directed elective for the School Counseling option; adding CN 520, Foundations and Professional Orientation to Clinical Mental Health Counseling, CN 521, Standards of Care and Management in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and CN 522, Psychopharmacology in Counseling as required directed electives for the CMHC option. The proposed changes would increase total program hours in both options: School Counseling from 48 s.h. to 52 s.h., and CMHC from 48 s.h. to 60 s.h. The requests would be effective Fall 2010.

Dr. Ternasky responded to various questions from the Council. He noted that students cannot take clinical psychology courses in another program as they do not meet standards of CACREP. There will be a need for an additional faculty person which has already been approved by the Provost’s Office in response to a feasibility study submitted earlier, and funds for this position will be used from within the college; new dollars are not needed for this position. He reiterated that due to accreditation requirements, the department must graduate students under the new requirements by 2013.

Dr. McQuillan surveyed the Council to determine if there must be a minimum number of hours in the core to be considered as an option, similar to the undergraduate policy. The Council did not believe the same rule would apply at the graduate level as program lengths are much shorter.

The Council had further discussion concerning the track vs. option policy at the graduate level. Dr. Dallinger stated that the Graduate School currently has one other program with options rather than tracks (psychology).

Motion: To approve the request to increase credit hours of CN 549 from 1 s.h. to 3 s.h. and to approve the request to make the noted changes above to the Counseling program. (Bean/Bauerly). MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB.

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Standards for 400-G Courses – Sub-committee report

Dr. McNabb distributed a draft revision of the 400-G request form that she and sub-committee members McQuillan and Montalvo have created. The draft included sections to identify course objectives, comparison of student objectives and learning outcomes for those receiving the “G” credit and those who are not, and information relative to expected enrollments.

The Council made suggestions and thanked the sub-committee for their efforts. A second draft will be presented at an upcoming Council meeting.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

Dr. Self proposed that the Graduate Council consider changing the theses/dissertation submission policy from allowing students to either submit it electronically via ProQuest or non-electronically to the Malpass Library to making it mandatory that all theses/dissertation submissions be done via ProQuest. As a member of the original committee that implemented the use of ProQuest, Ms. Stierman noted that the original report suggested Fall 2008 as the date to require all submissions be done electronically. However, the system was not available for student use until that semester.

Dr. Bean questioned if there was a cost savings to the student to use the electronic submission option, however, Dr. Self said there is not a cost savings as students must pay ProQuest a fee to submit their theses/dissertations. She did note that by submitting electronically their work is available world-wide, however, the author retains copyright of their work. Dr. Anderson interjected that he was a member of the original committee and that the department of Biological Sciences has found this to be a good way to submit theses, however, the cost has been a shock to the students.

Dr. McQuillan asked who would retain the files should WIU separate from ProQuest in the future. Dr. Self and Ms. Stierman replied that the PDF files are stored on campus and that WIU retains ownership of those files. Also, the student always retains copyright of their work.

Ms. Stierman stated that there is an embargo option which will prevent the full text from being available until a specified time. Dr. Self indicated the library would be willing to set-up training sessions for faculty and students to learn the ProQuest system.

Motion: To strongly recommend that theses be submitted electronically beginning immediately, and to require that all theses/dissertations be submitted electronically via ProQuest beginning Fall 2012. (Bean/Bauerly)

Dr. Bean suggested the graduate catalog should include this upcoming policy change and current recommendation including the anticipated costs to students. MOTION CARRIED: 4 YES – 0 NO – 3 AB.

Dr. Montalvo questioned if the ERIC database will allow a student to post their theses/dissertations to both ProQuest and ERIC. Dr. Self and Ms. Stierman did not think it would be an issue as the student always retains copyright of their material, however, one would have to review ERIC’s policy. (Ms. Stierman sent a follow-up email to the Council members after the meeting noting that students may post to both ERIC and ProQuest according to ERIC’s copyright policy.)

B. Form sub-committee to select award recipients of the Graduate Student Research and Professional Development fund

This item was added to the agenda. This committee is charged with reviewing applications and selecting the award recipients for the Graduate Student Research and Professional Development fund sponsored by the Graduate School. There will be one member on the committee from each academic college. Those members will include Drs. Mossman (CAS), Hassan (COFAC), Bauerly (CBT), and Montalvo (COEHS). Members set the meeting for Tuesday, March 9 at 8 a.m. Ms. Sullivan will schedule a room and send out an email notification to the members.

V. STUDENT APPEAL

A. Request to hold an assistantship with less than a 3.0 graduate GPA

1. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration/Athletics

This item was added to the agenda. The student was unable to attend the meeting due to a regularly scheduled class meeting at the same time. The Council noted the academic program did not support his request to hold an assistantship with the athletics program. While the statement letter from the student indicated a possible change in an incomplete grade, there was no supporting documentation from the instructor of the course.

The Council appreciated his honesty of self-reporting the issue to the Graduate School.

Motion: To deny the request to hold an assistantship with less than a 3.0 graduate GPA. (Montalvo/Bauerly). MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB.